Swine Flu

Following the confirmation of cases of Swine Flu in the UK, Epping Forest District Council is taking sensible precautions to ensure the continued delivery of key services in the event of an outbreak in the district.

Information

The Directgov website provides health and travel advice and more information on what swine flu is, what to do if you think you have it and what the government is doing to help combat it.

Swine flu information leaflet

An information leaflet was posted to every household in the UK.

Government organisations have been planning on how to deal with Pandemic Flu for several years.

Councils like Epping Forest District Council have a supporting role to play and we are on standby to assist the local health authority if we are asked. We also have our own plans to maintain essential council services.

Download the leaflet

Swine Flu information leaflet (pdf 118 KB)

 

Advice to People with Flu-like Symptoms

West Essex PCT - 7 July 2009

ANYONE who thinks they may have the symptoms of Swine flu should not turn up at their GP practice, the Walk-in Centre in Harlow, A&E, or their local pharmacy unless they have been told to do so. NHS West Essex is stressing that if people who believe they may be suffering from the virus ignore this warning they could potentially spread the virus to other people.

Instead people should ring the national Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 for advice - including a pre-recorded list of common symptoms of Swine flu - ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk).

If after doing this people are still concerned they should stay at home and phone their GP.

The vast majority of people with swine flu have had mild symptoms, with a small minority being more severe. The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, fatigue and lack of appetite coughing and sore throat. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.

NHS West Essex director of public health Alison Cowie said: "We have had some people turning up at their GP practice, the Walk-in Centre in Harlow and A&E with flu-like symptoms, but it is important that people do everything they can to reduce the risk of spreading flu to other people."

People confirmed as having Swine flu may be prescribed antivirals and told where their prescription should be taken. The antivirals should be collected by the person’s ‘flu friend’ - a friend or relative of the patient - and not by the patient themselves, again to reduce the risk of passing on the virus.

Alison Cowie added: "At the moment the number of confirmed cases in west Essex is very low when compared to some other parts of the country. We must not be complacent and must ask people to do everything they can to try and prevent the spread of the virus."

Good hygiene can help reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu, this includes:

Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible

 

Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people

 

Cleaning hard surfaces (eg door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product

 

Making sure your children follow this advice

Further Information Links

The response to Swine Flu in the UK is being led by the Health Authorities. You can find much more information via these links.

The Council is repeating the key message to its own employees, residents and local businesses:

Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
 

Catch it
Germs spread easily. Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.

Bin it
Germs can live for several hours on tissues. Dispose of your tissue as soon as possible.

Kill it
Hands can transfer germs to every surface you touch. Clean your hands as soon as you can.

 

Download the poster - Swine flu information poster (pdf 1.5 MB)

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Contacting Us

Epping Forest District Council
Civic Offices
High Street
Epping
Essex CM16 4BZ
Main switchboard
(01992) 564000

Main email address
ContactUs@eppingforestdc.gov.uk